Acura rdx news

As the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety adds more crash tests and safety-feature evaluations, it's getting tougher and tougher to earn a perfect score — but not for Acura's redesigned compact SUV. IIHS named the 2019 RDX a Top Safety Pick Plus for its good crashworthiness ratings in all tests, standard front crash prevention that earns a superior rating and available good-rated headlights. Related: 'We Aren't There Yet': IIHS Warns of Overreliance on Self-Driving Tech To nab IIHS' highest safety honor, a vehicle must earn a rating of good in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints and seats crash evaluations, as well as earn a good or acceptable score on the tough new passenger-side small overlap front test. In addition, a vehicle must earn an advanced or superior rating for its front crash prevention system and an acceptable or good rating for headlights. IIHS said the RDX's standard front crash prevention system … [Read more...] about Standard Features, Stellar Scores Help 2019 Acura RDX Ace Crash Tests

When I cover a vehicle for Cars.com, the sound system has typically been low on my list of my priorities. Thinking back on the reviews I've written, I don't know that I've mentioned a sound system beyond how many speakers it has or which options package it's a part of. That's partly ignorance (I'm not an audiophile) and partly because I think that above a certain baseline, stereos all sound pretty much alike to me. Obviously, there's a difference in quality between a system found in a high-end luxury vehicle and one found in, say, a Nissan Versa, but at a certain point they all just sound "good" to me. Related: 2019 Acura RDX First Drive: Finally, Not a Warmed-Over Honda However, exposure to the proverbial finer things has changed all that. Similar to how I used to like my wine out of a box until I learned there was a better way, the ELS Studio audio system found in the new 2019 Acura RDX is a car stereo of a finer vintage. The ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio system (its full name) … [Read more...] about RDX-tasy: Why the 2019 Acura RDX’s Sound System Is So Addictive

With the new 2019 RDX, Acura pushed the envelope in a lot of areas with the redesign of its luxury compact SUV. The advancements are impressive, but in one area, the automaker may have gone too far. Related: 2019 Acura RDX Undercuts Rivals on Value Last year's big V-6 is gone, and in its place is a turbocharged four-cylinder; it pairs with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Overall, the drivetrain feels nice and refined. The RDX's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is back this year after skipping a generation, and you can tell its presence immediately in the RDX's crisp driving dynamics. The drivetrain update was a welcome improvement for the 2019 RDX, but where Acura went too far is with the new multimedia system. Instead of being innovative, it's aggravating. The system's new True Touchpad Interface is fussy and not as easy to use as systems that employ a traditional touchscreen. The RDX goes on sale Friday. Watch the video for more. Cars.com's Editorial department … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX Video Review

The first Acura RDX I ever drove was a 2007 model, and it was awful. That RDX was quick thanks to a turbocharged engine, but it was loud, wasn't appreciably nicer inside than the Honda on which it was based, and the worst part was that the suspension rode like someone forgot to install springs. Related: Video: 2019 Acura RDX First Look It's only taken Acura a little over a decade, but the brand has finally come up with a new RDX for 2019 that actually looks good, feels good and at last can be counted among the top-tier offerings for the ultra-competitive luxury compact SUV class. It's a luxury SUV that legitimately feels like a luxury vehicle, not a warmed-over Honda. And it's about time. The First Attractive Acura SUV in Years Acura styling as of late has been a mixed bag, some of it good, some of it not. With the new RDX, it's finally nailed a combination that looks fantastic - a mix of edgy and curvy with continuity of line and excellent proportions. There isn't a bad angle … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX First Drive: Finally, Not a Warmed-Over Honda

When the redesigned 2019 Acura RDX goes on sale Friday, it'll start at $38,295, including destination, coming in lower than key luxury compact SUV competitors that start north of $40,000. The RDX's entry price is for a front-wheel-drive model; opting for Acura's sporty all-wheel system on any trim level adds $2,000. Related: Hands On With the 2019 Acura RDX's Controversial Media Touchpad By comparison, among front- or rear-wheel-drive entry models of luxury compacts you might have on your shopping list, the 2019 BMW X3 start at $42,990 with destination, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC at $41,045 and the 2018 Lexus RX 350 at $44,265. A 2018 Audi Q5. with standard all-wheel drive starts at $42,475. Compare their features and prices here. The RDX's pricing also does not climb as fast through the trim levels and option packages as some rivals that can quickly blow well past $50,000. An RDX with the Technology Package starts at $41,495, and the top-of-the-line … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX Undercuts Rivals on Value

What had me most curious — and a bit optimistic — about the redesigned 2019 Acura RDX is the big update to the multimedia and vehicle control system. The old RDX's tiered, two-screen multimedia system ran in direct opposition to the adage "two is better than one" because it was kind of a mess. Acura went back to the drawing board for 2019 and designed a brand-new multimedia system that makes its debut on the RDX. I spent about an hour driving the 2019 RDX around to get acquainted with its new brains and touchpad controller. Related: 2019 Acura RDX Production Models Finally Arrive, and Here They Are When we first heard of this change, our staff was skeptical. To put it plainly, touchpad-based systems in cars suck. Those systems often use a cursor, much like a mouse on a computer, which has proven to be a distracting, difficult proposition to use while the car is in motion. It's not that hard to use the touchpad on a laptop when you're sitting still, but doing it while … [Read more...] about Hands On With the 2019 Acura RDX’s Controversial Media Touchpad

2019 Acura RDX A-Spec; Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry The prototype version of the 2019 Acura RDX first appeared in Detroit earlier this year, but here at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, Acura was finally ready to show off three versions of the production RDX. No more caveats attached: What you see here is what the 2019 RDX will look like when it hits the road. Related: More 2018 New York Auto Show Coverage The only notable styling changes are larger side mirrors to meet safety standards, different paint and more conventional wheels. The same "True Touchpad Interface" and 10.2-inch display that I enjoyed on the prototype thankfully made it through into the production vehicle unchanged. Acura also introduced a few new elements of the RDX that weren't on the prototype, starting with an A-Spec trim level that has more-aggressive styling. A-Spec models add Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss-black accents and a unique lower front fascia to spruce up the exterior. … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX Production Models Finally Arrive, and Here They Are

Acura gave us a nice surprise at this year’s New York Auto Show with the debut of their new sporty SUV. In a world where all cars are starting to look the same, the 2019 Acura RDX comes with refreshingly unique looks. But the good news is, the uniqueness has not been achieved at the cost of beauty. In short then, 2019 Acura RDX is one of the best looking cars we’ve ever seen in this class. The main features contributing to this include the sharp lines of the body that give the whole thing a dynamic look, the bejeweled headlights, Diamond Pentagon Grille, NSX-inspired air intakes, and the low roof. But if you still feel this might not be sporty enough, there is also a A-Spec trim level featuring larger wheels, gloss black accents and unique interior treatment including an available two-tone red and black interior. 2019 Acura RDX is sort of like a SUV version of the NSX sports car. Powering the car is a 2.0-liter turbo VTEC engine … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX Is Handsome, Dynamic, High-Tech

► Acura RDX Prototype unveiled► Latest news from Detroit show► Crossover points to production car The Acura RDX Prototype looks rather too production ready to be wearing its ‘Prototype’ nameplate. The latest version of Honda’s US-built five-seater SUV franchise won’t make it to the UK market. But it does promise to usher in a change in design direction – it’s called the Acura Precision Concept, and is a simpler, less cluttered look that would be most welcome on the next-generation Honda Civic.It’s unlikely that we’ll see Acura's diamond pentagon grille, but the sharply sculpted body and all-LED exterior lighting will definitely make it to Europe.Set to launch in the middle of 2018, the next-generation RDX has what Honda describes as ‘class-leading cabin and cargo space,’ and promises to go head-to-head with more established rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5. Our full … [Read more...] about Acura RDX Prototype points to Honda’s crossover future

Acura put a major redesign on its RDX crossover for the Detroit auto show. The 2019 Acura RDX, “presaged by this RDX Prototype,” was designed and developed in the U.S. and will be manufactured here as well. And it’s the first Acura SUV that will receive the tarted-up A-Spec treatment, which will include more sporty cues inside and out.The third-generation RDX comes on a new “Acura exclusive” platform that’s both lighter and stiffer, and with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine connected to a ten-speed automatic transmission. It will come in front- or super-handling all-wheel drive formats.The VTEC four will deliver 40 percent more low-end torque than the outgoing model, though Acura has yet to reveal the actual output. Available adaptive dampers will work with the RDX’s four drive modes, comfort, sport, sport plus and snow.The sheetmetal takes cues from the company’s Acura Precision Concept we saw in Detroit two years ago. The new RDX … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX concept: New look, new turbo engine at Detroit auto show